Quin-WHAT?

Ok, so by now, you've determined that I appreciate good food.  Food is medicine.  It's the best medicine that you can give your body.  When I say "good" food, I'm not talking strictly about what tastes good.  I'm also talking about what is good for you.

Quinoa (pronounced QEEN-WAH) is an amazing little seed (thought of as a grain).  It's gluten-free, so Sandra and I have eaten quite a bit of it.  It has many benefits, including ...

1.  It's a whole grain.

2.  It's high in fiber.  This includes some soluble fiber which can help lower cholesterol levels.

3.  It's a complete protein.  It has all 9 essential amino acids that your body can't make on its own.  Other grains and legumes have protein, but they are often incomplete.  You have to eat something else with them.  However, quinoa can stand on its own in that department.

4.  It's packed with nutrients like Vitamin B6, E, Iron, Magnesium and Zinc just to name a few.

5.  It has a low Glycemic Index.  It will not spike your blood sugar after eating it, unlike simpler carbs such as white bread or processed potatoes.  Because quinoa is high in fiber and protein, digestion is slowed as your body breaks down these components.  This results in slower absorption and hence a lower spike in blood sugar.

The only thing about quinoa is ... it's not that tasty.  You need to mix it in with something or cook it in a quality broth.  Check out Sandra's blog for a link to a delicious Quinoa Enchilada recipe.

Wednesday, I had a service call out in Campbellsville, KY.  I found a nice park near Green River dam after eating some delicious quinoa enchiladas!  Of course, I had to get a couple of thousand steps as well 😉

Fun Fact:  God placed a bitter chemical around the outside of quinoa called saponins.  These act as a natural deterrent for pests.